Learning Support Assistant

NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE COLLEGE; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

North Hertfordshire College is seeking a dedicated Learning Support Assistant to join the Supported Studies team in Stevenage. You will work to support learners with a range of needs, including disabilities and learning differences, using specialist assistive technology to help students reach their targets.

You will collaborate with teaching staff, maintain records, and contribute to EHCP reviews while promoting independence and safeguarding in a highly inclusive learning environment.

Qualifications

• Support students with diverse needs, including those with disabilities, learning differences, and other barriers to education.
• Experience with EHCPs, initial assessments, and individual targets is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist teaching staff in delivering outstanding teaching and learning, including use of specialist assistive technology, to ensure students achieve their planned outcomes and reach their potential.
• Interpret instructions effectively to support students in following these and assist with communication challenges, to ensure equal access for all.
• Maintain accurate, timely departmental records and contribute to the setting and monitoring of individual targets, including the review of EHCP outcomes as part of the annual review process.
• Provide support with study skills, pastoral needs and community access 1:1 or in small groups to help students navigate challenges and progress to their aspirational destination.
• Assist with personal care, aid mobility, administer medication and provide the relevant support with individual arrangements for students with complex support needs.
• Support students in engaging with work experience opportunities with liaising with employers and Work Experience coordinator.

Skills

Diverse learner support

Assistive technology

Communication support

Confidentiality

Job description

The Hart Learning Group has an excellent reputation for our inclusive practice and quality of opportunities. In fact, our High Needs provision was graded Outstanding in our 2023 Ofsted inspection!

The Supported Studies team helps students achieve their learning goals by supporting them inside and outside the classroom through a variety of methods. Their fully inclusive approach involves creating adapted learning materials, sourcing accessible technology, face-to-face and group support, and changes to the way information is delivered, depending on the needs of each learner.

The Learning Support Assistant supports the college's commitment to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and equitable learning environment for all students. Working with the wider Supported Studies team you will provide support to students with diverse needs, including those with disabilities, learning differences, and other barriers to education. This role ensures students can fulfil their potential and become independent confident learners., Implement a range of highly effective strategies to support the diverse additional learning needs within the student cohort, whilst promoting independence, and tailor these for each individual in line with their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), support plan, initial assessment and individual targets.

Assist teaching staff in delivering outstanding teaching and learning, including use of specialist assistive technology, to ensure students achieve their planned outcomes and reach their potential.

Interpret instructions effectively to support students in following these and assist with communication challenges, to ensure equal access for all.

Maintain accurate, timely departmental records and contribute to the setting and monitoring of individual targets, including the review of EHCP outcomes as part of the annual review process.

Provide support with study skills, pastoral needs and community access 1:1 or in small groups to ensure students successfully navigate any challenges and progress to their aspirational destination.

Assist with personal care, aid mobility, administer medication and provide the relevant support with individual arrangements for students with complex support needs.

Support students in engaging with work experience opportunities. This may include: liaising with students, employers and the Work Experience coordinator to arrange work placements, coaching students for interviews, on the job and maintaining departmental work placement records.

Adhere to confidentiality guidelines and college policies for SEND, health and safety, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and safeguarding.

Contribute to the work of the curriculum team; attend curriculum events and course and department meetings.

Access training and professional development activities to ensure continually remaining up to date and gaining new skills and knowledge, including SEND specific options.

General Duties

• To contribute to the effective management and promotion of equality and diversity
• To work in accordance with the Health & Safety at Work Act, ensuring the College is a safe environment for staff, students and visitors.
• To promote with staff and students the importance of safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults they are responsible for and come into contact with.
• To work at all times in accordance with North Hertfordshire College's policies and procedures.
• To carry out such duties as may be required from time to time by the college that are appropriate to the grade of the post

The College operates across three main campuses in Stevenage and Hitchin, employing over 650 staff. With a turnover of £30m, the college provides learning opportunities to over 10,000 students each year from study programmes for 16-18 year olds and apprenticeships through to adult provision locally, regionally and nationally. We were judged Good by Ofsted at our last inspection in December 2023, with outstanding features.